COURTESY OF LE JARDIN ACADEMY
Le Jardin's mission has been to cultivate a global perspective within its students. Senior Joey Padeken, left, and junior Nick Westervelt stand on campus. CLICK FOR LARGE

Growth on the horizon for LeJardin

The junior school will join the Kalanianaole campus

By Andy Recktenwald
Le Jardin Academy

FROM ITS PERCH on a hillside high above Kawainui Marsh, Le Jardin Academy commands a view of all of Kailua. But administrators and students at the rapidly growing school are seeking to expand that perspective to more distant shores.

With its first graduating class off to colleges worldwide, the school now looks to begin projects that administrators hope will establish Le Jardin as a valuable servant to the Windward community and give students the global perspective they need to succeed in the ever-changing international landscape.

While school plans for substantial campus upgrades have been slowed in the past few years by obstacles in the permitting process, school administrators recently confirmed that construction will soon begin on the first of many buildings.

"We are about to build a brand new gymnasium with two full courts and 20 more classrooms, including two more science labs," said Headmaster Adrian Allan. "There are future plans to add 12 more classrooms, an administration building, and an art center."

Upon completion, these new buildings will enable Le Jardin's junior school to move to the Kalanianaole Highway campus from its current location several miles away, consolidating all levels of the school on one campus.

Le Jardin is also make sweeping changes to its academic structure.

"The school has launched its training program to join the International Baccalaureate program," said Allan.

The International Baccalaureate program consists of three levels: the Primary Years Program for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade; the Middle Years Program for sixth through 10th grades; and the Diploma Program for grades 11 and 12.

When it offers the full IB program beginning in 2011, Le Jardin will become the only school on Oahu, and one of only a handful nationwide, to offer the complete program from kindergarten through grade 12.

Le Jardin's desire to give students a global perspective is manifest in more than the IB program. The school recently signed a contract to engage in a language exchange program with the Konan boys' school in Japan. Students and teachers from Le Jardin's foreign language department also have taken trips to France and Peru, and the ukulele choir traveled to Japan in 2005 to play concerts. The addition of Chinese to the school's foreign language curriculum this year provides students with yet another opportunity to gain exposure to different cultures and perspectives from around the world.

Le Jardin also has programs that enhance student experiences outside the classroom. One such program is its new soccer academy, which provides instruction to students islandwide. Headed by coach Paco Saavea, the academy is an integral part of Le Jardin's long-term goal to become a force in ILH soccer.

Since its inception, Le Jardin's mission has been to cultivate a global perspective within its students, and a reputation for service within its community. With changes like these on the way, the school is closer than ever to accomplishing this mission.